In an explosive crackdown on crime, over two dozen members of the notorious Mongols motorcycle gang have been arrested after a brazen shooting incident at a Florida gas station. The FBI’s Jacksonville office has made it crystal clear: law enforcement is taking decisive action against violent criminals.
In total, 28 members of the Mongols have been apprehended in a coordinated operation aptly named “Operation Mongolian Beef.” This initiative involved collaborative efforts from the FBI Jacksonville Division, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, and the Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. Arrest warrants for three additional gang members are pending, ensuring that no criminal escapes justice.
These gang members face serious charges, including aggravated rioting related to the March 8, 2025, shooting during Bike Week in New Smyrna Beach. This level of rioting involves multiple participants—over 25—and falls under a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The operation spanned multiple locations, executing 14 search warrants across several counties, including raids on the Mongols Clubhouse and homes in Florida, Virginia, and beyond. This broad reach proves that law enforcement is dedicated to ridding our communities of violent offenders.
“The FBI is committed to crushing violent crime across the nation,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “Florida is undeniably safer today with these gang members off the street.”
The Mongols motorcycle gang, or Mongols Motorcycle Club, boldly identifies as an “outlaw” organization, representing the lawless 1% of motorcycle clubs. With mottos like “Respect Few, Fear None” and “Live Mongol Die Mongol,” the gang glorifies a ruthless lifestyle, displaying their allegiance through distinct vests, patches, and tattoos.
Known for their involvement in violent crime, drug trafficking, and other criminal enterprises, outlaw motorcycle gangs like the Mongols pose a serious threat to public safety. The Department of Justice has rightfully classified the Mongols as a domestic terror group.
On the day of the shooting, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood revealed that the Mongols had plotted an attack against a rival gang, the Warlocks, knowing they would be present at the gas station. This premeditated violence endangered countless innocent lives.
During the chaotic confrontation, two Warlocks suffered minor injuries, and despite their reluctance to cooperate with authorities, law enforcement utilized bystander footage to identify a staggering 31 individuals linked to the violence.
“They lit the fuse,” Sheriff Chitwood declared. “It’s game on now.” The evidence trail promises further indictments, signaling an unwavering commitment to dismantling organized crime.
